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Was a a choice example of the style of the old Puritan cannonaded from every this outraged critic, When we New England pulpit. "could give encouragement to so licentious and expensive a diversion in a and good order? author, one suspects, town famous for its decency look back upon the Transactions of our Fore-Fathers, and read the Wonderful Story of their godly Zeal, their pious Resolution and their Publick Virtues; how should we blush and la- ment our present Corruption of Manners, and Decay of Religious Civic Discipline?

Manifestlv, the London climate was "I told the production of a it is Americans the same ripe for talented ; critic waxed positively poetic over another colonial exhibitor, Benjamin West: West and genius met me at the door Thou long expected, wish'd for Stranger, hail In Britain's bosom make thy loved abode . And open dailv to her raptured Eye The mystic wonders of the Raphael's More good news was lish artistic fraternity. " Correctlv assuming that Coplev particularly eager for the opinion of Joshua Reynolds, Bruce candidly reported that the great man had found certain faults in Copley's picture the drawing.

They document not only the astonishing speed with which he was mas- 42 up the tering his craft, but his steady progression From portraying a tavernkeeper's wife in ter in 1 1 social ladder as well. 753 to a commodore's daugh- demand 756, he had reached the point where his services were in by the members of loftiest ceptance was signaled, in New England's moneyed society. His ac- by a double particular, he was likeness commissioned to produce around 1758. His subjects were Mary and Elizabeth Royall, the daughters of one of New England's wealthiest Maine and Massachusetts, in citizens.